It had been a while since Kia had been in the ring. All the way back since last year. That was overly dramatic, but it was true that she hadn't had a match in a few months. A part of her was very concerned that she was going to be out of shape and out of touch. Though her record last year was not exactly brilliant, Kia was going to do her damned hardest to make sure than this year was different. She was going to come out ontop somehow. Backstage she was busy making sure she was ready, both physically and mentally. The physical part was not much of a problem, a few stretches sorted that one out. Her mind however was harder. Her mind would not rest. Something was overtly bothering her. A little presence in the back of her head gnawing away at her confidence. In her head, thoughts about her losing began to emerge; the idea that she was actually going to lose horrifically and that she was going to have another year of bad luck. No matter how hard she tried to distract herself from that thought, it always came back to bite her mind again. In the end her cycle of pittance was broken when a stage manager came in to tell her everything was ready. Now that was just the distraction she needed. Taking a deep breath she would flex her arms one more time and walk out of the locker room and out towards the stage.

Considering it was a new year, it might of been a sensible choice to change her theme, her opening, maybe even change everything. However Kia had completely forgotten about those things. Maybe this was why the physiological effect was having such a powerful vice. Maybe change was what she needed. The second her old music started Kia would right away walk out onto the stage, not wanting to drag this on any longer. It seemed as if things were not going to go well, she felt her legs almost acting sluggish. Maybe it was nerves? Maybe it would all get better if she just got into the ring? Only one way to find out. Kia made her way down the ramp, her footsteps were direct and her paces wide, almost as if she was trying to break into a run but just couldn't gain enough momentum to do so. Looking around she could see cheering people. Not exactly what she would call fans though. She hadn't made a big impact on this place. The only time she did was when she beat Liberty, and that was a fluke. Approaching the ring Kia would systematically climb the ropes and get inside, landing on her feet and taking a moment to enjoy the rush of being in the ring.

That was what she wanted. That was what she needed. All those bad thoughts had now burned away and a small burst of adrenaline had taken hold. Suddenly she felt good. She felt like she could actually win this. Walking around the ring, she would wave her hands in the air, no longer caring who the crowd were. She was now in her own little world. She would slowly go into her corner, taking a breath to control the adrenaline. Now she was ready.

Minerva understood perfectly well how it felt to have a bad stretch in a career. Prior to her arrival in the AFW, the raven haired sadist had enjoyed a period of dominance in the indies throughout Europe. But that had come to a sudden halt with a sudden injury during one of her matches, which had cost her several months of in ring competition, and more importantly, delayed her glorious ascension to and through the AFW. But that was then, and this was now. Though later than she’d originally expected, the Danish empress was here, and ready to tear through whichever unfortunate soul was put in the ring with her. No sympathy, and no mercy. And while she sat in the locker room, admiring her perfect form in the mirror while adjusting her hair, she knew she was ready to make an example out of her opponent tonight.

As she was informed her match would be starting soon, Minerva’s lips twisted into a wicked smile. “Excellent.” she said, more to herself than anyone else, before emerging from her seat and putting on her coat before making her way through the backstage area. Hearing her entrance music begin to play over the arena’s speakers, the amazon walked through the curtain and onto the stage, smirking as she looked out into the crowd. She was clad in a purple top with matching tights and gloves which extended up to her biceps, and a pair of black boots that came up to her knees. And covering it all was a large and elegant black fur coat. Those still unfamiliar with Minerva cheered politely, while those in the audience who had paid any attention to her since her arrival boo’d as she began to walk down the aisle. Neither reaction seemed to have any sort of effect on the woman, who simply smirked as she entered the ring, before shedding her large coat and setting it down by the corner to reveal her ring attire, and eyed the woman across the ring.

From what little Minerva knew about her, she hadn’t exactly had a big string of success here, and was now coming back after a few months away. “I hope you weren’t expecting any kind of easy prey for your grand homecoming. If you were, I’m afraid you’re going to be rather disappointed.” she said with a chuckle as she waited for the bell to ring to officially start the match.

Kia herself didn't really know how to react to the response the crowd gave when her opponent headed towards the ring. She had never seen the woman before either, which for her was slightly more disturbing. It did seem however that whoever she was she carried herself well and seemed to be ignoring whatever the crowd was doing. Clearly she was focusing on the match. As she entered the ring, Kia took a step forwards, listening attentively to the words of her opponent.

"I never expect an easy win. But I won't make it easy for you to win either" Before Kia could say anything else the bell rang. Starting the match far earlier then Kia had expected. She wasn't fully ready yet. Still, trying to take advantage that her opponent would be just as much off guard, Kia charged forward and tried to extend her arm, trying to bravely start the match by attempting to clotheslines the female in the chest.

“Hm. We’ll see about that.” Minerva replied as the bell rang, her smug grin remaining on her features as she spoke. But it seemed that would be the end of any pre-fight discussion between the two women, as Kia came sprinting right across the ring toward Minerva, looking to take the fight right to the raven haired amazon. An interesting move, considering Minerva’s size advantage between them.

To make sure she didn’t just get sandwiched between her foe and the corner, Minerva took a step toward her opponent and braced herself, letting the woman’s arm crash into her chest with a smack that resounded through the arena! However, the tall woman remained standing, though the hit did make her stumble back a couple steps to put her back in the corner.

“In a hurry to get things started, are we? Fine by me!” Minerva shouted, before quickly sending her boot forward to try to kick Kia in her stomach to momentarily stun her. If her kick connected, she’d then follow it up by grabbing onto her opponent, before turning and shoving her right into the corner that had previously been right behind Minerva, essentially reversing their positions in the ring.